Eureka - Eureka CA Weekend Getaway

Preview: That a California town called Eureka could trace its history to the gold rush and the era of the forty-niners shouldn’t surprise anyone, but the growth and success of this city had less to do with gold dust than with sawdust. The town of Arcata, 8 miles to the north, was in fact nearer the goldfields in the Trinity Mountains and was outgrowing Eureka in the early 1850s. But when mine activity waned in 1856, it was Eureka, with its deepwater port, that was destined to become the largest city on Humboldt Bay. The 500 boats of the Humboldt Bay commercial-fishing fleet annually land the largest catch on the California coast. The cold, nutrientrich Pacific waters beyond the harbor entrance give up chinook and coho salmon, halibut, rockfish (marketed as snapper and cod), albacore, lingcod, perch, sole, Dungeness crab, and shrimp. Most of the same species are included in the sport catch. Eureka’s most popular attraction is the original town site, known as Old Town. To get there, turn toward the bay from U.S. 101 (Fourth Street southbound, Fifth Street northbound) between C and M Streets. Old Town lies along First, Second, and Third Streets, where you will find various types of Victorian architecture well represented: Queen Anne, Eastlake, Italianate, Greek Revival, and Stick Style. This chapter includes information on lodging, campgrounds, RV parks, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, and outdoor activities near these coastal cities.
© Copyright Kathy Strong (Editor) published by Insiders' Guide all rights reserved.


Best Time to Go: Year-round
This travel guide comes from:
Driving the Pacific Coast: California Guide Book